Explain call by reference, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Call by Reference

Passing variables(parameters) to a function in C can be done in two ways - pass by value, also called as call by value and pass by address or also known as call by address. C++ though , gives one more way to call a function - call by reference. In call by value , a copy of the actual contents of the variables is passed to the function. In this case, alters made to the formal variable , as they are called, are not reflected back in the calling function. Passing an address permits changes to be made directly to the memory, which are occupied by the actual variable.

Though, a call by address requires the formal variable to be considered as pointer and therefore the indirection operator has to be used with them. A reference on the other hand, is another name, for a previously explained variable. In other words, after a reference is explained for a particular variable, using its original name as well as the reference can refer to the variable. Hence, a reference is nothing but an alias.

 Thus not passing a copy (call by value) saves time and is efficient. It does not have to make a temporary variable /. And not passing the address(call by address), eliminates the use of pointers in the called functions. But, at the same time, the changes made to a formal variable , using its reference or alias can be reflected back in the calling function.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain call by reference

3, Write a program to find the area under the curve y = f(x) between x = a ...

Write a program to find the area under the curve y = f(x) between x = a and x = b, integrate y = f(x) between the limits of a and b. The area under a curve between two points can b

Explain operator overloading fundamentals, Operator Overloading Fundamental...

Operator Overloading Fundamentals The C language uses the concept of Operator Overloading discreetly. The asterisk (*) is used as multiplication operator as well as indirect

Difference between method overloading and method overriding, Overloading a ...

Overloading a method (or function) in C++ is the ability for functions of the similar name to be defined as long as these methods have dissimilar signatures (different set of param

Assignment, write a c program chat illustrates the creation of child proces...

write a c program chat illustrates the creation of child process using fork system call. One process finds sum of even series and other process finds sum of odd series.

Notion of encapsulation, The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize y...

The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with the notion of encapsulation as well as some aspects of IP and ICMP. Write your programs in C or C++. They will be grade

Stuctrue , To store a date use a structure that contains three members date...

To store a date use a structure that contains three members date, month and year. If the dates are equal then display message “Equal” otherwise “Unequal” Program structure: main()

Define difference among new & malloc?, Both malloc & new functions are util...

Both malloc & new functions are utilized for dynamic memory allocations & the basic difference is: malloc need a special "typecasting" while it allocates memory for eg. if the poin

C, minimum total number of shelves.

minimum total number of shelves.

Define the multi dimensional arrays, Define the Multi Dimensional Arrays? ...

Define the Multi Dimensional Arrays? Consequently far we have considered arrays with only one dimension. It is as well possible to define an array which is having a 2-dimension

#pointers, what is the purpose of pointer ? what is the syntax? how it work...

what is the purpose of pointer ? what is the syntax? how it works?

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd